Helter Skelter (album)

For the Fred Frith and François-Michel Pesenti album, see Helter Skelter (Frith and Pesenti album).
Helter Skelter
Studio album by The D.O.C.
Released January 23, 1996 (1996-01-23)
Recorded 1994–1995
Genre West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, horrorcore
Length 69:40
Label Giant, Warner Bros.
Producer The D.O.C. (also exec.), Erotic D
The D.O.C. chronology
No One Can Do It Better
(1989)		 Helter Skelter
(1996)		 Deuce
(2003)
Singles from Helter Skelter
  1. "Return of Da Livin' Dead"
    Released: October 31 1995
  2. "4 My Doggz"
    Released: 1996
Alternative cover
Inside the booklet of Helter Skelter
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Rolling Stone Album Guide[2]

Helter Skelter is a 1996 album by The D.O.C., and was an attempt at making a comeback following the car crash which severely damaged his vocal cords. The album was widely ignored, and has even been discredited by D.O.C himself.[3] The name of the album is a reference to Charles Manson's idea of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" prophesying the end of the world.

The title and concept behind this album were originally developed by Dr. Dre as a collaborative effort between him and Ice Cube, titled Heltah Skeltah. At that time however, The D.O.C. had become disillusioned with Death Row Records and Dre, having received no payment for his work ghostwriting at Death Row . So in late 1994, D.O.C. decided to leave Death Row and headed to Atlanta, Georgia. Taking lyrics he had already written for Heltah Skeltah, he recorded Helter Skelter, keeping the name to spite Dre.[3] His lyrics were inspired by the writings of Milton William Cooper. Especially noticeable in songs Secret Plan and Welcome to the New World. After releasing his debut album, No One Can Do It Better, the D.O.C. suffered a severe car accident that did irreparable damage to his vocal cords. It left him with a thin, raspy voice that was simply unusable for several years. In 1996, he made his comeback with Helter Skelter. The backing tracks are solid gangsta rap recorded by a live band.

Track listing

No. TitleProducer(s) Length
1. "Intro" (featuring Eddie Griffin)Erotic D 3:21
2. "Return of Da Livin' Dead"  The D.O.C. 3:34
3. "From Ruthless 2 Death Row (Do We All Part)"  Erotic D 4:26
4. "Secret Plan"  The D.O.C. 5:36
5. "Komurshell (Mo' Hair)" (featuring Mario Latrell)Erotic D 2:21
6. "4 My Doggz"  Erotic D 4:27
7. ".45 Automatic" (featuring Jamal and Passion)Erotic D 3:58
8. "Sonz O' Light"  Erotic D 4:04
9. "Bitchez"  Erotic D 5:13
10. "Interlude" (featuring Voodoo Einstein)Erotic D 5:02
11. "Da Hereafter"  The D.O.C. 4:48
12. "Erotix Shit" (featuring Jamal, T-Double, DFC, MC Breed, Mz.Allan and Erotic D)Erotic D 5:04
13. "Welcome to the New World"  Erotic D 2:51
14. "Killa Instinc"  Erotic D 3:36
15. "Komurshell"  Erotic D 1:01
16. "Brand New Formula"  Erotic D 4:32
17. "Outro"  Erotic D 1:08
Total length:
 69.40
Bonus track
No. TitleProducer(s) Length
18. "Crazy Bitchez"  Erotic D 4:38

Samples

Singles

Single information
"Return of Da Livin' Dead"
  • Released: 1995
  • B-side: "From Ruthless to Death Row (Do We All Part)"
"4 My Doggz"
  • Released: 1996
  • B-side: "4 My Doggz (Instrumental)"

Chart positions

Chart(1996) Peak
position
"Billboard" 200 30
Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums 5

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=lRgtYCC6OUwC&pg=PA322&dq=rolling+stone+gang+starr&cd=1&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=wu%20tang&f=false Page 281
  3. 1 2 Curry, Tracy (2002-03-19). "From Ruthless To Death Row" (Interview). Interview with ThaFormula.Com.
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